EPILOGUE
TWO MONTHS LATER
DIARY ENTRY
Where do I begin?
My vacation with Karson has been crazy good. We snowboarded in places I never dreamed of, I even took some skiing lessons. Let’s just say, I’m better at snowboarding.
Karson’s insane on skis. He kept flying past me on the ski runs, heading back to the top, then passing me again before I’d even reached the bottom. But when I got on my snowboard, it was the other way around! Let’s just say he’s better at skiing.
His family’s ski lodge was seized as part of SolStar’s assets so we didn’t stay there. Karson told me he and Dyson had some of their best holidays there over the years. And guess what? When it comes back on the market… he’s going to buy it back! Yep, pinch me now.
We stayed in an exquisite chalet and met the loveliest people while we were there. Honestly, having Christmas in the snow was weird, but totally amazing. Usually, I’d be surfing beneath the scorching sun at that time of year.
My ModelMe contract starts soon, I’m so excited for it, and I can’t wait to catch up with Sass and all the girls when I go to the Gold Coast. Oh my god I miss those girls like there’s no tomorrow!
Tomorrow we’re flying back to Australia to pick up the house keys. I’m still have trouble believing that the beautiful house in Summer Beach will be ours for real. Karson’s already been asking me what styles I like for the interior design.
Being together is even better than I ever imagined. He’s thoughtful. Open. Kind. No two days are the same, and things are never boring. But we also enjoy our quiet moments together, like when we read beside the fireplace, sipping hot chocolate.
Plus, what the hell? The man looks as though he was sculpted by the gods.
What can I say? I’m a goner.
And I can’t believe I get to call him mine.
Love,
Ivy xx
KARSON
With our eyes glued to the carousel, I stood alongside Ivy as we leaned against each other, waiting for her last bag to appear.
It’d been an incredible trip. She was amazing, we’d spent every day together and even that hadn’t been enough.
On the flight home, we wore matching pajamas and gorged ourselves on chocolates while watching countless movies. After I fell asleep, I had the sweetest dream about her, the best part was that when I awoke… she was still there.
When we’d arrived back in Sydney, even from inside the airport, we could tell it was blazing hot outside—the humidity rushed through the constantly opening doors, but it was fantastic to be back.
Ivy stifled a yawn. We watched the carousel spin in circles, lost in our own thoughts…
Every day, I’d learned something new about her. She constantly surprised me with things I knew nothing about. Like the 3-3-3 method of packing that can create up to twenty-seven outfits!
What the hell? I’m going to be trying that one next time I go away, I thought, staring at the trolley, already overloaded with my luggage.
Our holiday was unforgettable. But I was glad to be back and couldn’t wait to pick up the keys to the new house.
While Ivy enjoyed her spa treatments at the resorts, I’d managed to organize the upcoming opening of the kickboxing studio. I video-interviewed the candidates, but I hadn’t been able to choose between the top two. So, I chose them both.
Georgia and Harry would each, in their own way, be invaluable to the studio’s success. I hadn’t told Ivy yet. When things were up and running, I wanted to take her there and surprise her.
Another small yawn escaped her lips. “You could’ve warned me you’re like an Olympic skier,” she chuckled as she squeezed my arm tighter.
“Man, I did not know you were so competitive! You’ll just have to accept my skiing victory, Firefly.” I grinned.
“Fine.” She smiled. “But I’m sticking with snowboarding. I feel more at home on a board.”
“Ah, yes, and when I get those surfing lessons you promised me, you can seek your revenge on the waves.”
“You’re on. No getting out of it now,” she said, a spark lighting her eyes.
I pulled her against me. “So how would you rate our vacation?”
“It was pretty good.” She stared at me, straight-faced, without blinking.
Nothing could’ve been further from the truth. I gaped at her.
“Seriously.” She kissed me. “It was.” She kissed me again. “Absolutely the best.” Her lips pressed against mine as her arms wrapped around my neck.
“That’s what I wanted to hear,” I murmured, kissing her between the words as I gazed into the gold hues in her eyes.
“My favorite part was Christmas in the chalet. It was unforgettable,” Ivy said. “The staff was always so helpful. I’m glad you tipped them so generously—they deserved it. But I may have developed some… bad habits. I might need breakfast in bed every day now.” She grinned.
My heart skipped a beat as my mind flashed back to the nights we’d spent tangled together in bed. To the mornings when we’d lain there, holding each other tight, watching snow fall beyond the huge bedroom window.
I eyed the carousel as a bag that looked like mine—but much bigger—bumped past before my gaze drifted back to Ivy.
She was like a ray of sunshine, illuminating everything around her… and I was so lucky I’d found her.
“We might have to make traversing the globe together our little thing, Miss Lawrence.”
“You’ll ruin me for life,” she replied, her face aglow, “with all this pampering.”
“Never. I’m here to help you follow your dreams. Every day. And every night. For as long as you want me.” I pressed my lips to her hand, kissing it slowly, before kissing each of her fingers.
“Remind me where you came from again,” she whispered, grazing her lips over mine. “I swear, you’re the only man in the world who’s so wonderful.” Her warm breath punched the air out of my lungs.
“We really need to pick up that key,” I said huskily, “like now.”
She traced her fingers slowly up the back of my neck.
“My god, woman, you’re going to kill me,” I managed, dragging my gaze over her.
Something caught her attention over my shoulder. “My bag!”
She ran toward the carousel, reaching it just as it was about to disappear through the black opening. Grabbing it, she slung it onto the trolley.
“Impressive,” I said, watching her. “But I think you forgot something.”
“I did?” She stalked closer. “Hmm, what could that be, I wonder?” Her arms closed around my neck as she pressed up against me, while my hands threaded through her silky hair.
“Let’s get out of here,” I said, my pulse racing. “Suddenly I really want to check out our new bedroom.”
“Good idea,” she replied breathlessly.
I pushed the trolley hastily toward the pickup zone.
***
IVY
Gus leaned against the Jaguar as we stepped into the airport pickup zone. He drew us both in for a big hug, then we drove straight to Roland Black Realty in Summer Beach.
“Won’t be long, Gus,” Karson said as we climbed out.
The blazing sun bit into my skin as I took in the familiar sights and sounds.
People in bikinis or board shorts studded the beach. A barefoot couple, one with a smoothie and the other with a surfboard, laughed and jumped up and down on the hot concrete sidewalk at the bus stop.
A group of teens chatted excitedly, smiles beaming beneath their bucket hats as they crossed the road to the beach. And some tourists were speaking animatedly in German as they pointed out over the water.
God, I missed this. All the elements I loved. Sand and surf. Not a snowflake in sight.
An impossibly pink frangipani bloomed out the front of the realtor’s office. I closed my eyes as I inhaled the sweet scent hanging in the balmy air.
Karson grinned. “You ready?”
“Yeah, I was just taking a moment,” I said, unable to contain my happiness.
He lifted me until my face was level with his then kissed me. “Now I’m ready too.” He lowered me back down before holding the door open for me, and we stepped through into the icy air-conditioned office.
“Mr. Wells?” said the athletic young man behind the desk. “Welcome! We’ve been expecting you!”
“Good to meet you. I’m Karson, and this is Ivy.”
“Our director, Roland Black, has asked to do the key handover personally. I’ll let him know—”
An immaculately dressed man appeared from a nearby doorway.
“Mr. Wells, Miss Lawrence, it’s a pleasure to meet you both.
” He extended his hand. “I’m Roland Black.
Your keys are right here. Such a fine home.
I’d like to extend congratulations to you both on behalf of the agency. ” He held out an envelope toward us.
Karson gestured toward the envelope. As I reached out, Roland placed it in my hand.
“Thanks for all your help Roland,” Karson said as he shook his hand.
“My pleasure,” Roland replied as we walked to the door. “Welcome to Summer Beach, you two. You’re going to love it.”